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Persistent Down-Beating Torsional Positional Nystagmus: Posterior Semicircular Canal Light Cupula?
Akihide Ichimura1, Koji Otsuka2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; Ichimura ENT Clinic, 2-11-10 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0051, Japan.
Abstract:
A 16-year-old boy with rotatory positional vertigo and nausea, particularly when lying down, visited our clinic. Initially, we observed vertical/torsional (downward/leftward) nystagmus in the supine position, and it did not diminish. In the sitting position, nystagmus was not provoked. Neurological examinations were normal. We speculated that persistent torsional down-beating nystagmus was caused by the light cupula of the posterior semicircular canal. This case provides novel insights into the light cupula pathophysiology.
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